RESEARCH QUESTION

1. Katherine Jernigan River Poze ENVS 220 Daphne Hamilton Fall 2012 Erin Scheibe Green Building in the Land Down Under Vertical Development and Compaction of Green Buildings in Australian Cities • BACKGROUND • Roughly 90% of Australians live in and around cities and 23% of greenhouse gas emissions come from residential and work buildings • There is a growing demand in Australia for energy efficient buildings rated by Green Star or NABERS • Compactness, the theory that containment of further urban sprawl is the best way to minimize energy use and transportation, is being implemented in Australian cities. • The theory of compactness has received criticism about the lack of desire of people to reside in such densely populated areas. It is also predicted to amplify social injustices. RESEARCH QUESTION Do the compaction and vertical development of green buildings in Melbourne, Australia significantly decrease energy/water consumption in the cities, and is this design attractive and tolerable for people? TIMELINE Week 1: Travel to Australia. Identify and collect energy and water data for specific certified and non-certified buildings in the city and individual homes in the outskirts of the city. Week 2: Identify key informants (community leaders, building tenants, architects, etc..), finalize/adjust interview questions. Week 3-6: Conduct interviews (of developers/builders/owners) and surveys (homeowners and city-dwellers). Week 7-10: Interpret and analyze interview and survey data as well as energy and water data from buildings. Cmap • METHODOLOGY • Survey of satisfaction of people in Green Star and NABERS rated residential buildings as well as suburban dwellers • Interviews of key players (builders, developers, community leaders, etc.) • Interpret, track, and compare energy and water bills of specific certified buildings, non-certified buildings, and homes Sources